FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Lota Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Lota Small Business Loans
Lota unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional business loan?
Apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone. You’ll get a same day response and funds may be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an interest rate per annum as well as other fees and charges. Our company loan is an upfront priced loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the amount you will have to pay, including the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company need, such as control of cash flow business remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About Larger Lota Business Loans
What is the Larger Lota Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger loan size to support company expansion opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed for up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee calculated?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) who is over the age of 18 and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at least 12 months of trading.
How can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly any company need, including company remodeling, buying inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is necessary to access funding over $150,000. It’s as a result of an charge against assets, and may be registered with the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to repay a loan which is generally in nature rather than specifying the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the guarantee is personally accountable if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives preference over private property granted according to the date the security interest was registered.
A caveat is a legal document filed to provide the legal claim to a property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250,000 we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help smooth out the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit verification and within six hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering a few financial well-being checks. This is not an offer of credit or guarantee of financing. A conditional approval is subject an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer you are offered could be subject to different terms.
The application process
Do I have the right to receive funds?
You can apply for an business loan if you;
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is simple and easy. Complete the online form within a few minutes and an experienced business loan specialist will be in touch to guide you.
For a loan of up to $100,000 you’ll need the right identification documents (valid Driver’s Licence) as well as a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll also need:
$100K to $250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if loan above $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent, 12 months bank statement, an IRD statements as well as the two most recent years’ financial statements, in addition to interim financials for the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically offer a response in one hour, provided you make your application during quality company time and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank’s information online. If you want to submit copies of your bank statements , we’ll be able to provide an answer within the span of one company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K and up) we might be in a position to offer you with conditional pre-approval within six hours. Once you’ve signed the pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval, however this can be quicker based on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in just 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply would be to make sure you apply during standard company hours, and let us use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank accounts, it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K and up) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request within normal business time and you allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision in just an business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we could be capable of provide you with conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is about 2-3 days for final approval, however this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some deals have been approved in the space of 24 hours.
The fastest way is to make sure you apply during normal business hours. Also, allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification to verify your bank information online. If you send us documents from your account accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We provide loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you make an application for a certain amount we will consider a number of elements to determine what is the well-being for your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the specifics the company.
If you apply for a certain amount, we look at a range of variables to determine how much we can lend you such as health of the company as well as the amount of payments your business is able to afford. The total amount of the loan will be determined by the particulars the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
If you decide to apply for one of our business financing, we will assess the risk profile of your business and offer you with a tailored proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. A business loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What is the factor that determines the price I am charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates vary due to factors such as the amount that is that is borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for and the sector the company operates in, the long the business has been running and whether the company has enough cash flow to support the loan, as well as the overall well-being as well as creditworthiness business.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans, and you’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay, and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee includes the expenses associated in establishing and managing the loan. It is only charged for this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Can I pay off the loan early?
You can repay the entire amount of your advance loan at any time.
If you decide to do this please contact our helpful business credit experts. They’ll provide you with details for repayment and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal amount remaining and accrued interest to the time of early payout, plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What is the process for repayments?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in your cash flow cycle we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be secure?
The security of your personal information, as well as being clear about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and ensure the security of your information is crucial and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to protecting the security of clients and privacy. We utilise a sophisticated bank verification system that allows you to immediately confirm your bank account information online. This allows us to provide an immediate response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing occurs when an company owner utilises assets they own to get the funding. The asset may be a personal asset like the family home or an business property like a truck or piece of equipment.
The majority of banks, not just the major banks, prefer to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it is an opportunity to secure new funding using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I require security for an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds however, we require a personal guarantee. need an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract document) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150,000 typically, you will need an individual ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.